Manila Times
Manila
A special task force has been created to ensure security and public order during the papal visit next month, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said yesterday.
Commissioner Siegfred Mison said the task force, dubbed as Task Unit Immigration (TU) shall implement the smooth operations of immigration services and intelligence operations during this period.
He noted that the TU is specifically created to ensure that the Pope and the members of his entourage receive proper immigration service, technical and intelligence support, in furtherance of the mandate of The Papal Visit 2015 National Organising Committee (PV-NOC).
“We have started our general preparation phase as early as October. Our preparations include planning the event, service training for TU personnel, and survey inspection areas of engagement,” Mison said in a statement.
The BI chief also ensured that there are enough immigration personnel deployed in Manila and Tacloban for the event and that immigration agents will be in full force for the papal visit.
Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive on January 15, 2015 and is expected to be traveling with members of his entourage and staff.
The Pope’s itinerary will include a visit to Tacloban City, a courtesy visit to President Benigno Aquino and a mass at Rizal Park.
He will be in the country for four days and will depart for Rome on January 19.
Meanwhile, Mison warned that foreign terrorists and human traffickers might take advantage of the event.
“We must remain vigilant since we are expecting an influx of foreign visitors in the Philippines in January due to the papal visit,” he said.
Mison added: “The BI is in close co-ordination with other law enforcement agencies in intelligence building and has heightened its alert on foreign nationals with emphasis on potential threats to the scheduled arrival of the Pope.”
On the other hand, more than 2,000 Philippine and Vatican flags will be installed along roads in Metro Manila and Leyte where Pope Francis and his entourage are going to pass by. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the installation of flags is to show that the country is welcoming the Holy Father.
Aside from flags, they will put up welcome signs in these areas. At the same time, confirmed reports said that an inspection was conducted by the papal visit committee at the Quirino Grandstand, where the last Mass of the pontiff in the country will be held on January 18, a day before he returns to the Vatican.
The Pope will be in Tacloban for a mass and in Leyte for the blessing of a centre for the poor, named after him, on January 17.
